Will Hayward be back next year?

[deep vacuum]

I know it's very early in the season but Hayward is much improved as a player and is a force to be reckoned with.  If Hayward continues to grow as a player and continue to play at a high level with this senior led team, will he be back next year?  I believe he would come back but it is a scary thought having no returning starters for next years squad.

[bs4173]

he'll be back, unless he's okay with playing in Lithuania

[nyg]

Back?  Only place he could go would be early entry NBA draft.  That will not happen.

[lab_warrior]

He'll be back.  He's a very good player, but not an NBA lottery lock...that's what it usually takes for kids to jump ship early for the association.

[GoldenWarrior]

He's shown great improvement the past 2 seasons.  I still don't see him getting drafted in the NBA yet.  He's not big enough to be playing a 4/5 in the NBA, so I think mechanically NBA teams would like for him to work on his perimeter game more and his ball handling skills as well to maybe become a 3 on the next level.

You're right... no returning starters would really hurt next season, but I think MU will be better next year than most will be expecting.  We've got some solid recruits coming in, and there will be some growing pains felt, but I think they'll still be in the middle of the Big East (probably finishing around 9th next year).  But I'm focusing more on the now and how awesome this team is playing!!

WE ARE MARQUETTE!!!

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

99.9% likely.  He's a classic NBA tweener.  Not a 4 by any stretch in the league, and needs to work significantly on his athleticism, quickness, and ballhandling to be considered a 2 in the NBA (not a 3 because he's still too small at 6'6").

I would not be surprised, though, if he gets an NBA look after his senior season.  He's clearly got the toughness, skill, and shooting ability to play in the league.   He won't be able to overcome the measurement game, but if works on those three aspects, he could find a nice spot on an NBA bench for a few years.

[willie warrior]

Why are we starting this type of speculation/rumor?

Hayward is a very good player, but he needs to develop more on defense, as he is somewhat slow of foot. Another year in college should hone his defense more, and he can work on other skills to enhance his NBA credentials. Besides, next year he will be the go to guy and will also enhance his NBA credentials.

[MUshrooms]

Dumb.

[deep vacuum]

Sorry to get everyone all excited.  I'm kind of new to MU Mens BB and I was thinking that Hayward was around 6'10", not 6'6" as he's listed.

[mviale]

Its ok, in a vacuum, he may be able to play in the NBA.

[Skatastrophy]

He'd be dumb not to float his name out there and schedule some try-outs to see if anything sticks.  I doubt he'll hire an agent and lose his eligibility unless we make a deep tournament run this year though.

[MR.HAYWARD]

HAyward not back?  Are you kidding me...I love the kid but he would not even get sniffed at this point.  Hayward is not even in the NBA draft discussion, great kid, great heart, not an NBA player. At least not right now any where near an NBA player.  Kid his size needs to beat people off the bounce he is a 2g in the league, has never demonstarted the explosiveness to do that.  He will more than have the opportunity to improve his game and have a nice senior season where he maybe considered but right now his game has some big big holes when compared to the NBAand where he would need to play

[deep vacuum]

Thanks for all the information guys.

[Shack]

He'll be back but I think he's going to have a good career in the NBA.  Reminds me of a Richard Jefferson type.

[WalterSobchak]

He'll be back but I think he's going to have a good career in the NBA.  Reminds me of a Richard Jefferson type.

You really think he's got Richard Jefferson type explosiveness?  I don't see it.

[4everwarriors]

I don't think most posters here have any clue of what it takes to not only get drafted, but also play in the Association. Lazar has no chance.

[avid1010]

He reminds me a lot of Josh Howard...he'll be back, but I also think he'll find a way to make an NBA team for many years because he can do so many things well...not great...but well.

[Mayor McCheese]

He'll be back but I think he's going to have a good career in the NBA.  Reminds me of a Richard Jefferson type.

What part of his game reminds you of Richard Jefferson?  Honestly, he doesn't have his explosiveness, his ability to get to the hoop, or his quickness on defense.

Lets face it... McNeal, James and Matthews are going to struggle to be drafted... where the hell would Hayward go. 

Is Hayward as good as Novak was... not even close... and Novak can't find the floor in the NBA.

/end thread.

[nyg]

Richard Jefferson, Josh Howard....They were NBA ALLSTARS.  Hayward is a nice college player, but he isn't even close to those two player's abilities. Enjoy Lazar's next year and a half and be grateful he was a Marquette student athlete. 

[Wade for President]

I think our roster over the past 3 years of Lazar's stay in Milwaukee has somewhat hurt his chances at the next level.  He's been playing out of position @ the 4 spot (and sometimes 5), and hasn't been given time at what would be his position in the NBA (3, swingman).

At the sametime, because of our severe lack in height, Lazar has done an INCREDIBLE job at hitting the glass.  He's got such an incredible touch around the hoop, and has a knack for knowing where the ball is going to end up.

I think for him to develop his game, he's going to have to start expanding his repertoire (slashing, cutting, etc).  This might come next year with the 3 amigos graduated, and him being the focal point of our offense.

I kind of liken Lazar to Josh Childress/Josh Howard...that is if only he becomes more of a threat with the ball in his hand.

At the end of the day, I wouldn't trade him for any player in the country not named Griffin, Blair, or Thabeet.

Lazar is a flat out stud...and brings it EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

[Nukem2]

As a senior, I suspect Zar will get more time at the 3.  Which will be good for his pro development.  I suspect he'll play in the NBA at some point as he does have the body if not necessarily the height.  But his MU experience will help there.  Has quite a few different skills and his "D" is improving.  But, he will be back in my estamation.

[ecompt]

Zar's going to be able to do whatever he wants on offense next year. He'll be the unquestioned go-to guy on a very young team. I don't think there's any question that he stays.

[warrior_rugby15]

Even though he may be undersized and may not have the skills to be a dominant force in the NBA, he does have the work ethic. Everyone on the team says he is the hardest worker in practice, and it shows in games. Before the Cincy game when he made three 3-pointers in a row, I did not know he had a shot, let alone a 3-point shot.

His skills won't get him to the NBA but his hard work might. He definatly needs another year to try to make it. Being the only returning starter, he can develop his leadership skills better, an untangible skill that can help him get to the NBA.

[mosarsour]

What part of his game reminds you of Richard Jefferson?  Honestly, he doesn't have his explosiveness, his ability to get to the hoop, or his quickness on defense.

Lets face it... McNeal, James and Matthews are going to struggle to be drafted... where the hell would Hayward go. 

Is Hayward as good as Novak was... not even close... and Novak can't find the floor in the NBA.

/end thread.

Steve's playing time has significantly increased this season and has become a major role player for the Clippers...Only difference is that Steve is a legit 6'10 whereas I don't think Lazar is really a legit 6'6.

[SWARM!]

The first guy that comes to mind when comparing Lazar is Alando Tucker.  They are similar size, builds, and quickness.  They both can score from just about anywhere and have a knack for the ball.  Tucker was a very good college basketball player and can't get near the court at the next level.  I wish him all the best, but I don't see Hayward being a contributor at the next level.  That said, he could make a roster.